Long Beach church feeds community at annual Christmas Eve Lunch
LONG BEACH, Miss. (WXXV) — This marks the 17th year for the annual Christmas Eve Lunch hosted by First Methodist Church of Long Beach.
Church members came together to prepare large meals, opening their doors to anyone in the community who wants a warm place and a hot meal to celebrate Christmas.
The church also hosts a food drive, which allowed guests to take home canned goods and other essential items they need. And for the kids, a special reading room—where church members read Christmas stories aloud, and each child got to choose a book to take home.
“We love to serve, we love to serve the community, and we’re just all about putting who Jesus is out in our community. So, to be able to celebrate and invite them in today for a hot meal, and just to love on our community in a special way, just means everything to us,” said church member Marsha Bishop.
“It’s just sweet. Year after year, you’ll see the same people that return every year. Especially a lot of the elderly people that might be alone for the holiday, they’re here and they’re able to come in and fellowship with us, visit with us, and just have a hot meal and not have to worry about things. It’s just a sweet like gathering of everybody, and there’s always somebody smiling and ready to greet them,” said church member Monica Dardeau.
And in the spirit of giving, once the lunch came to an end, they packed up meals for those in the community who were unable to make it out, and will deliver them to homes and even local fire stations.
“I think it shows what we’re here for — God’s love. We’re here to help those who are not as fortunate as many of us, and just to show that our church and our community cares for them. A little thing like a good, warm meal means a lot,” said church member Scott Rishel.
This is such a big event in the Long Beach community that even Mayor Tim Pierce stopped in to grab a plate and say hello.
“This is a giving season, and anything that we can do to help the less fortunate… it just makes you feel better, and that’s who Long Beach is. When people are in need, we reach out and we help. This is a perfect example of how great people are over here in Long Beach and how much they care,” said Mayor Pierce.
The annual event comes together thanks to countless helping hands, and First Methodist says they look forward to continuing this Christmas tradition of serving their community for many years to come.
